3.5-4 stars out of 5.

+⭐ Plot- interesting story, very topical, cool back and forth structure.
+⭐ People- very character-driven, I liked the characters enough to sympathize with an anti-vaxxer.
+⭐ Prose- really well written, reads like a movie without being overly descriptive. Sometimes, when switching POV, I was confused as to who was narrating but the confusion didn't last long (usually only a couple of sentences).
+⭐ Pleasure- I enjoyed the drama between the families and, even though you thought knew what was going to happen, the way it played out was interesting and the twist at the end gripped me. I was slowly becoming uninterested in the courtroom drama up until that point and the it pulled me right back in.
-⭐ Pace- there was a lot of buildup to the big event, then a lull in the story where I had to fight to pick it back up, and then afterwards the story went super quick it seemed. I wish it was more evenly paced.
-⭐ Put-downability- I struggled more with picking it up than putting it down. Had to fight to finish, but that could just be a result of how busy I was when I was reading this. However, I'm glad that I pushed to finish because the last 50 pages
or so made a great ending.

The blurb doesn‘t mention the specific subject of this novel about a white lie told between best friends at a party, that causes a catastrophic fallout and a court case so don't read on if you don't want to know!

This was a very topical book, being about vaccinations. (in this case childhood vaccinations rather than Covid, but still....)

I really couldn‘t put this down and it presented a very nuanced view of what is so often a ‘black or white‘ issue. All of the characters had flaws, which made it more real / believable.

This would be a great book club book!

What perfect timing for the publication of this book when covid vaccination has become the topic of daily conversation its seems only right that we look at all childhood vaccinations in a novel .
Im a Paediatrician and have had many a conversation about childhood vaccines with my families and often met with people very anxious about vaccinating their precious children , in addition to this one of my own children developed a severe egg allergy necessitating them to have to be vaccinated in hospital for the mar vaccine so I know from first hand how difficult and contentious this topic can be .My third and hardest personal story was a child who was in my son's city nursery class who developed the awful condition subacute sclerosis pan encephalitis SSBE a severe brain disease that may occur after measles infection in the unvaccinated and was left brain damaged and died from measles .This was at the turn of this century in the uk , it can and does happen and measles epidemics unfortunately are a recurring problem
Perhaps because of my own history I did pick up the plot twist very early and in fact worried about it spoiling the book as I initially thought the writter had got it wrong , no indeed it was deliberate and I was so delighted as I could stop worrying g about this tiny fact and enjoy the rest of the novel .
I would strongly recommend the book to all parents and grandparents of young children as it undoes so much off the bad done by Mr Wakefield inches vaccine autism scare of the 1990s which has done untold damage to our attempts to get sufficient percentage cover to prevent outbreaks of horrendous infectious diseases such h as measles, the herd of herd immunity of the title .
The book I suppose would fit the chick lit category with the topic elevating it and giving it a certain amount of distinction holding it above others of the genre
I found the characters utterly believable as sadly were some of their reactions which held my interest throughout
The medical details were accurate with one tiny niggle that a Neurologist would be called Dr not Mr .
I would say that the book should be recommended reading for anyone with a young child in the family and it is my hope that it may persuade someone to take up the offer of immunisation who might otherwise be vacillating

I really enjoyed this book, fast-paced, thought-provoking and very topical. It explored lots of attitudes around how folks parent their children and also the role of community and social media within that. Friendships and relationships are tested and unravelled. The story is well crafted with the scenes set and we meet Elizabeth and Bryony, best friends and close neighbours. We are then introduced to their husbands, children, all their neighbours and friends and how the events of one birthday party can alter those relationships so quickly. Well worth reading and will certainly be a talking point.

This is one of those books that will divide opinion but well worth reading. Elizabeth and Bryony are good friends despite being opposite in personality and lifestyles. They each have young children who are best friends and spend all their time together.

Elizabeth's daughter, Clemmie cannot be vaccinated due to childhood seizures and Elizabeth is very strict on keeping her safe - to the point that she contacts all the parents of children due to attend Clemmie's birthday party to confirm that their children have been vaccinated and, if not then they cannot come to the party.

When Bryony and Alba have to leave the party early for feeling unwell, little did they know this would be the start of every parents nightmare. Within a few days of the party, there is a measles outbreak in the community with Bryony, Alba and Clemmie all contracting the disease. Clemmie is affected badly with devastating results - and Elizabeth blames Bryony completely.

The story tries to put forward both sides of the vaccination debate but it is more swayed towards not vaccinating children. Depending on how strong your views are, whether for or against vaccination, you may find this an emotive read.

Wow wow wow I just loved this book! Such an emotive story, such a divisive topic, characters I could visualise in a community I felt. Just a wonderful story that makes you think and about the parent communities we live in. A must read

Elizabeth and Bryony are polar opposites but their unexpected friendship has always worked. They're the best of friends, and godmothers to each other's daughters - because they trust that the safety of their children is both of their top priority. Little do they know that they differ radically over one very important issue. And when Bryony, afraid of being judged, tells what is supposed to be a harmless white lie before a child's birthday party, the consequences are more catastrophic than either of them could ever have imagined.

It is hard to imagine a more timely read and what a powerful, emotional read this was. Edwards focuses on the MMR vaccine but the same plot could easily be applied to any vaccination available. Our two central characters are on either side of the argument for two very different yet equally powerful reasons.

It feels wrong to say I enjoyed this book but honestly I thoroughly enjoyed it and raced through it. The book is also very thought provoking, I do not think it matters which side of the debate you fall on, there is something in this to get you thinking. I particularly liked how Edwards weaves different viewpoints into the plot, Edwards presents a wide array of views and gives an insight into possible reasons behind these views, again very powerful reading.

As I was reading this I could not see how Edwards was going to end the book. I need not have worried, Edwards has written the perfect ending for this book and I cannot imagine any other ending.

The characters are of course central to this plot and I liked all of them for different reasons. As I read this there were times I empathised with them and times I disagreed with them, again, for this book, it worked really well. This is set around a very emotive topic and of course the book is extremely emotional, I was swept away by the pain and torment the characters go through. Edwards writes very sensitively and this will remain a very special book.

'The Herd' is thought-provoking, emotional and very powerful. This is an incredible read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK for an advance copy.

This was quite good with current times and Covid Vaccine debate but I wasn't convinced by the story at times. Interesting but I wasn't gripped throughout. Some of the plot does make you think though what you would do in this situation and I don't want to say more so as not to spoil things, just read it ;)

So topical especially at the moment. Elizabeth and Bry have been friends forward and are even godmother to each others daughters! Clemmie, Elizabeth's daughter was quite ill when younger she had fits and as such couldn't be vaccinated. So when Elizabeth decided to have a party for Clemmies 7th birthday she wants to make sure everyone invited is vaccinated.
Bry has not had her daughter Alba vaccinated because of her brother who is in a home and non verbal autistic as a result of a vaccine according to her mother.
Unfortunately, Bry, Alba and Clemmie all become ill with measles! and there is a huge outbreak in the area! Clemmie however ends up getting extreme complications from it and ends up.blind. Elizabeth decides to blame Bry for this and so initiated a court case against Bry and Ash Brys husband. What they don't know is the skeleton in Elizabeth's closer which could bring the whole thing crashing down around them and change lives and friendships forever.

Many thanks to Net galley for letting me read this and to Emily Edwards for writing it, will definitely be recommending.

I had a few questions about this book, mainly why did Elizabeth not ask every person wherever she went if their child had been vaccinated and only hounded a few close friends. Surely every child in the school should have been the subject of her interiigation.
Aside from that I think the author wrote a pacy story that just so happens to be relevant now. I did feel the pull was more towards vaccinations and that there wasn't enough information backing up those who have chosen not to vaccinate. Perhaps the sad tragedy that happened to Clemmie could have even have been related to her seizures. It felt a little bit too judgy and fear mongering at times, something I've had quite enough of over the last two years. 3 stars for her writing style and for writing something contemporary.

Elizabeth & Bryony are complete opposites but they have been best friends for years & are godmothers to their daughters. Elizabeth's daughter Clemmie had bed convulsions as an infant as as result has not been vaccinated & is quite fanatical that those around her should have had their jabs. Bryony's childhood was blighted by her older autistic brother whose autism her mother blames on the MMR vaccine has been swayed by her family's experience. This is not something that the women have ever discussed & when Elizabeth asks that everyone attending Clemmie's party be vaccinated Bryony tells a white lie. The book switches from family to family & to a court case later in the year, although the exact details keep the reader guessing.

This was a book that kept me awake at night. I couldn't leave it till I knew the ending. The vaccination debate is very topical & although I would consider myself 'pro' I can fully understand Bryony's position & found her a likeable character. I found Elizabeth rather difficult to like from the start & though she had my sympathies she didn't endear herself to me at all. This is a very topical subject & will provide lots of material for discussion but I just found it a brilliant riveting read. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book.

This is such well- written book on the most current topic - vaccination and it manages to show both perspectives in a very articulated way, showing that it is not as black and white as people would think.

Two best friends- Elizabeth and Bryony- are both living in the same street in a small town where everyone know each other. Elizabeth is very protective of her daughter, as she could not get vaccinated due to health reasons and controversially ask her friends whether their kids are vaccinated, if not they should not attended her daughter’s birthday party.

The friendship is put to test when it comes out that Bryony did not vaccinate her daughter, because her mother has always told her vaccines are poison - her brother being an example of how damaging vaccination can be.

Such a hot topic and, even though I believe in science and vaccinations, I found I could sympathise with Bryony.

Elizabeth ans Byrony are friends and godmothers to each others daughters, before the differences arose. They are polar opposites in the very relevant and current discussion topic around vaccinations. The book itself feels as if it should be debated, and is perfect for book club dicussion.
The outcome is timely, the questions are there, but are the answers.

It is brave to tackle a topic such as vaccination that evokes so many opinions, but Edwards is to be applauded for her skill in writing a book that is both gripping and thought-provoking, a book that I didn't want to put down. Told from different points of view both sides of the argument are well presented and as a reader it reminds you that nothing is necessarily clear cut. Neither of the two main characters are entirely likeable and yet they are so well drawn that at times you feel for them both. The book is cleverly structured and the court case was incredibly tense - it had me engaged from beginning to end and left me with plenty to ponder.

This is a brilliant book about the choice that parents have to make about keeping their child safe and do their best for their family. To vaccinate or not to vaccinate, seems such an easy question, but it's not really black and white! Really thought provoking story and seems very timely

This book felt so timely! I know it's always the case that you put into a book the time you are reading it, but this couldn't feel more topical to have a discussion about vaccinations, albeit focused on children and MMR here. Emily Edwards did such a skilled job of presenting a rounded argument so that you could look forensically at all sides of the debate, regardless of your own values (I'm happily pro-vaccines and science). Fascinating.

Fascinating, especially as it so timely! I did think the final reveal was a bit of a cop-out, but I liked the way it didn't cast omniscient judgement and instead both sides were equal parts frustrating and relatable. Really left me thinking.

This was an utterly gripping and topical novel about vaccination. I found the characters highly plausible and I could see the perspective from both sides, which is a very clever way to present this issue. At times it felt so realistic - it could have easily read as a non-fic title. This is going to be super popular, especially with so many analogies drawn between the pandemic and children's vaccination. It has also brought something forward in my mind which I wasn't aware of previously such as the current low vaccination rates in children. Great read!

Thanks to Emily Edwards, Random House and NetGalley for the ARC of The Herd.

The Herd comes strongly recommended so I was really looking forward to seeing what this book had in store. Centred around the topic of vaccination, a potentially divisive topic, this is an eye-opening and heartbreaking interpretation about two sides of the vaccination debate - which feels relevant now more than ever in light of covid vaccination and falling MMR rates.

After having seizures as a baby, Elizabeth's young daughter Clemmie cannot be vaccinated. Worried about the impact of her daughter getting poorly, Elizabeth sends an email round to her friends prior to a birthday party asking them to confirm that they are all are vaccinated. If they are not, she decides that they should no longer mix with Clemmie - a very brave statement - but she will stop at nothing to keep her daughter safe.

Elizabeth's best friend Bry has her own reasons for being against vaccination. Her older brother has severe learning disabilities - something that her family believe is linked to his MMR vaccine as a child. She has had a difficult upbringing as a result, with her Mum constantly pushing that vaccines are dangerous and making her promise not to risk the health of her children.

Knowing that if she tells the truth, she risks losing her best friend and goddaughter forever, Bry makes a decision that will change not only Elizabeth and Clemmie's life but also that of the wider community.

I felt this book was pitched in just the right way, not pushing either side but outlining the back stories, the justifications and the genuine concerns. I loved the addition of the court case, which added another dynamic to the storyline and there were some unexpected twists which really kept me invested.

A book that really makes you think.

Incredibly relevant and gripping, The Herd manages to address an important and very controversial topic in a thought-provoking and seemingly balanced way.

Young Clemmie can't be vaccinated, as she had seizures as a baby and so they were advised against vaccinating her. However, mother Elizabeth fully believes in the good that vaccines such as the MMR jab can do and so, before Clemmie's upcoming birthday party, she sends out an email asking for attendees to confirm that their child has been vaccinated - if they haven't been, she asks them to stay away from her child in the future. It's a bold move but one that she feels strongly is the right one to protect her vulnerable child, and she thinks herd immunity is the best way to do that.

Elizabeth's best friend, Bry, has grown up with parents telling her about the dangers of vaccines because her brother has severe learning disabilities which they believe is due to the MMR vaccine. So, she has yet to vaccinate her young child Alba - but will she be completely truthful about this knowing how important her best friend thinks vaccinations are?

Their difference of opinion causes unforeseen complications in not just the two mothers' relationship but for the rest of their families and the wider community.

The characters in The Herd- particularly Bry and their lives, is what makes this story so gripping. They all have backgrounds and life experiences that make them feel a certain way about whether they should or should not be vaccinating their young children. They're not always likeable - certainly, some characters made me want to scream in frustration - but Emily Edwards did an amazing job of making you realise why they might be behaving a certain way, without promoting anti-vaxxers as a just or 'right' cause at all - the novel effectively shuts down the arguments for not vaccinating but helps you understand why some people worry, and how this perspective can spread so easily (just as COVID vaccine misinformation is spreading now).

The Herd has plenty of shocking moments, but it never feels preachy or too simplified. It strikes just the right tone, and had me completely hooked. The addition of the court case, which we learn about right at the start of the book, adds an element of drama and intrigue. I'd really recommend this book because, whether you have kids yourself or not, it will make you think about your own position, and how you'd react to those who feel the opposite way.